Front Suspension Upper Ball Joint problems of the 2001 Dodge Dakota - part 1

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that he was informed that the upper ball joint was worn. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the upper ball joints need to be replaced to repair the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,647.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that the passenger side upper ball joints arm separated from the wheel. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic shop where the contact was awaiting repairs. The dealer was contacted who offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 140,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Dakota. The contact stated that he previously had repairs performed on the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number 04v596000 (suspension, front control arm, upper ball joint). He was experiencing an abnormally loud squeaking and clanking sound while he was driving various speeds. The contact stated that the identical failure recurred after the recall repairs were made. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 94,000.

Ball joint problem on 4x2 Dodge Dakota. Popping grating sound and lack of control in the upper ball joint assemblies. These use the same upper ball joint assy. As the 4x4 units that have been recalled. These cause the same problems and dangerous safety issues.

I started noticing a "lurch or lateral shift" of the front end during tight left and right turns at low speed (35 mph or less). Driving at highway speeds on straight roads did not indicate any problems. Recently, during a brake system inspection, significant "slop / free movement" at the upper ball joint & wheel knuckle assembly connection was noted (> 0. 5"). I researched the problem and discovered the NHTSA issued recall for "upper ball joint failures on 2000-2003 Dodge Dakotas" as well as the Dodge issued TSB for the same defect. I took my 2001 Dakota in to a Dodge dealer for the recall repair. The Dodge dealer and Chrysler both conveniently took the position that my VIN was not part of this recall, therefore they were not responsible for making the repair. My vehicle has the same failure mode described in the NHTSA recall and the Dodge issued TSB. The NHTSA should force Dodge to expand the scope of VIN's covered by the recall to include all 2000-2003 Dakotas that experience premature ball joint failures. A safety related suspension component should not fail at 50,000 miles. To arbitrarily exclude some vehicle VIN's from the recall even though they have the same defects is dishonest and not in the best interest of the traveling public. I urge the NHTSA to force Dodge/Chrysler to repair this defect on all 2000-2003 Dakotas.

Own 2001 Dodge Dakota quad cab. Notice the same problem has been identified with front steering ball joint having problems. Our truck is suffering same problem with load popping noise when we make a hard left hand turn. Has happened numerous times for past 9 months. . . But now getting more frequent.

1. Clunking noise coming from the front end of my truck. 2. Upper ball joing wear at a dangerous level. 3. I had to have the parts replaced, and I still have the old part. This part was recalled under the 4x4 vehicles, and mine is 2wd so I had to pay for repairs. I believe my safety was at risk, and it had nothing to do with the fact my vehicle was not a 4wd.

Annual vehicle inspection of my 2001 Dodge Dakota sport 2wd verhicle (54,000 miles), performed on 03/05/05, necessitated the replacement of detatched ball joint.

Recall campaign 04v596000 was issued. Consumer stated the upper ball joints wore out prematurely. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

'recall campaign' concerning upper ball joint wear. Driving on tires that are worn out unevenly. The consumer could not get the tire aligned and had been driving on the tires that are worn out unevenly. The alignment reading was totally off due to the failing ball joints and the shop would not rotate the tires.

Upper ball joints were replaced. Recently, the upper ball joints for this vehicle were recalled ,and the owner contacted the dealership. Again had the ball joints replaced, but they did not do an alignment. Currently, the tire is pulling to the left, and the dealership will not make any adjustments.

Dealership was not performing the upper ball joint wear recall 04v596000 repairs within a reasonable time. The next available appointment date is April 5th 2005. . . . . . . The safety recall states that consumer can loose control of vehicle and crash. He is afraid to drive it, especially on long trips. Dodg ehas not helped consumer.

2001 Dodge Dakota front wheel fell off, which caused damage to front end of vehicle. The consumer wondered if the wheel falling off could have been the result of the upper ball joints being defective.

Dodge Dakota failure of front ball joints, replaced ball joint.

Dodge recall: I own a 2001 Dodge Dakota, it feels like the wheels wobble.

Since the beginning of January dealer had no parts for defect. Nhtsa recall campaign 04v596000 concerning upper ball joints.

The consumer was asked to call back within a week because the parts were still unavailable. When the consumer called back, the dealer told him that they again did not have parts and they would contact him when they did.

The dealership is refusing to perform the upper ball joint wear recall 04v596000 because the consumer didn't purchase the vehicle from them.

Damaged upper ball joints, and control arms.

Recently the ball joints were recalled for Dodge Dakotas/durangos 2000-2003, but only for 4 wheel drive. My 2001, Dodge Dakota needs new ball joints. It also uses the same bal joint as the 4 wheel drive. If there's are bad, why isn't mine?.

This complaint is about the fact that only the 4x4 Dodge Dakotas have been recalled about the ball joints. The fact is that they all use the same ball joints and well how do we know that the 4x2 are not going to go. What are you going to wait until someone get hurt before they recall the 4x2? I don't think that is right that they only recall the 4x4 they should recall all the Dakotas and durangos of those years. I am not one for that I buy a truck and the manufacture has don't wrong by giving faulty parts and I would have to suffer the consequence. That just is not right if they already know that they have faulty parts on the trucks. So this is a complaint that they should recall all the Dakotas if not all then also the 4x2. . There was no incident as of December 11, 2004 but the complaint required that I put a date in but there was no incident. This is just a complaint.

: the contact stated there were problems with the ball joints. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic shop for repair on the upper front right ball joints. A recall letter was received pertaining to the ball joints and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer repaired the upper front left ball joints under the recall and informed the contact to send the manufacturer copies of the prior repair work performed on the ball joints. After sending the manufacturer a letter with invoice, a letter was received from the manufacturer denying reimbursement for the costs of the previous repairs.

I own 2 Dodge Dakotas one 1997 and one 2001. I have not replaced the ball joints, but they are making poping and cracking noises. The 2001 only has 24000 miles on it. When making a hard turn both Dakotas seem to wobble like somthing is loose. I have not had any accidents yet but somthing is wrong. Also the front tires have warn uneven on both trucks. Front end alignment was almost impossable on the 2001 model.

No parts for recall#04596000 ball joints. Eddie Dodge 803-359-2501. Please provide more information.

I have seen several reports of the us government asking daimlerchrysler to recall 2000-2004 Dodge durangos and Dakotas, 4 wheel drive. The 2 wheel drive Dakotas have the exact same ball joint and failure! will these also be included in the recall? mine have yet to fail but make a horrible popping/rubbing noise when I make turns at a slow speed. This is a 2001 Dodge Dakota 2 wheel drive with 50,000 miles.

While driving 10 mph upper ball joint failed. As a result, the front passenger side tire separated from the vehicle.

Upper ball joint failed on the wheel assembly on the passenger side; entire wheel assembly fell off the Dodge Dakota truck. Fortunately my wife was only driving at about 5 to 10 mph when it happened. No one was injured. My wife had just been on the PA turnpike 30 minutes earlier  she would have been killed if the upper ball joint had failed when she was on the turnpike. 2 001 Dodge Dakota 4-wheel drive truck, v8 engine. Dealer can fix the wheel assembly, we have yet to get the bill, the truck is still in the shop.

My front passenger side tire fell off my 2001 Dodge Dakota. This was due to a faulty ball joint. As a result, the brake line and axle also needed replacing. I notified the dealership and Dodge. I was told there is nothing they could do, because the vehicle was no longer under warranty, nor was it recalled.

Passenger side front end ball joint failure. Ball joint replaced by local Dodge dealer.

I have been told that I need to have the ball joints replaced on my 01 Dakota. The dealer states that failure to do so will result in the wheels falling off at any time.

Left wheel started to make noise when turning to the left or right. Took it to the Dodge dealer and was charged $747. 00 to replace "failed ball joints" my VIN number is included in the range covered aby the recent Dodge recall - but they say it only applies to 4 wheel drive,,,,regardless these ball joints were replaced as failures.

Failure of upper ball joint/socket assembly.

I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota and my ball joints are abnormally worn and I'm going to have to replace them here soon. I know about the problem with the ball joints not being lubed and I'm asking that you guys push daimler/Chrysler into recalling the Dodge Dakota 2001 with the defective ball joints. I know I'm not the only one, this problem has been noted with Dodge durangos but the Dakotas use the same ball joints. Recall please. I don't want my wheels to fall off because of the ball joints. Recall. Urge daimler/Chrysler please, protect us the consumer. 2001 Dodge Dakota cabplus 35000 miles4x4 thank you.

While driving consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the upper ball joints. Dealership repaired the problem four times, but problem recurred.

The upper ball joint is making a clicking noise and causing the front left wheel to wobble, especially down hill at lower speeds. Consumer will inform the dealer.